CN111610817A - Control knob with motion sensing for controlling machine operation - Google Patents

Abstract

A control knob having motion sensing for controlling machine operation, the control knob comprising: an attachment surface configured for attaching the control knob to a machine surface; a display member including an electronic display module disposed thereon; A sensor configured to sense motion of the user's hand, the sensor operatively connected to the display member such that in response to the motion sensor sensing motion of the user's hand, the display member is configured to change operation from sleep mode switching to the active mode; an operating mode display controller for controlling display of the operating mode of the machine on the electronic display module, the operating mode display controller being configured to rotate around the electronic display module between a plurality of rotational positions of rotational movement, the operating mode display controller is operatively connected to the electronic display module, such that in response to rotational movement of the operating mode display controller between the plurality of rotational positions, the electronic display module is configured to interact with the The plurality of rotation positions correspondingly display a plurality of operating modes of the machine; and an operating mode selector is used to control one of the plurality of operating modes of the machine when one of the plurality of operating modes of the machine is displayed on the electronic display module. Upon selection of said one, said operating mode selector is configured for push-down movement to actuate selection of the operating mode displayed on the electronic display module.

Description

Control knob with motion sensing for controlling machine operation

technical field

The present invention relates to the field of control knobs and control buttons for controlling the operation of machines.

Background technique

Control panels of machines such as household appliances (eg, microwave ovens, washing machines, dryers) and motor vehicles typically include a plurality of control knobs (control buttons, etc.) to control various modes of operation of these machines. The transducer will typically sense different rotational positions of the control knob and then output an electrical control signal indicative of the sensed rotational position (and thus the desired machine operating mode as selected by the user). For example, a plurality of control knobs may be provided on the control panel of the microwave oven to control operation modes such as heating time, heating temperature and defrosting time. Alternatively, a control panel in a motor vehicle may include, for example, a plurality of control knobs for operating the air conditioner, the radio and the sunroof. In addition, an electronic display can often be provided on the control panel, next to the control knob, to visually display the selected operating mode of the machine selected by the user. However, as the space available on the control panel of such machines is limited (more so in the case of machines with compact aesthetic designs), there is a need for a feel for control knobs: space to increase control panel space on such machines utilization without unduly compromising the ease of operation and speed of the control panel. Furthermore, in seeking to address this problem, it may also be advantageous to provide a solution that mitigates power losses, particularly in battery powered appliances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to alleviate at least one of the above-mentioned problems.

The present invention may involve several broad forms. Embodiments of the invention may include one or any combination of the different broad forms described herein.

In a first broad form, the present invention provides a control knob for controlling operation of a machine, the control knob comprising: an attachment surface configured for attaching the control knob to an attachment of a machine surface a contact surface; a display member including an electronic display module disposed thereon; a motion sensor configured to sense motion of a user's hand, the sensor operatively connected to the display member such that a response The display member is configured to switch the operation from the sleep mode to the active mode because the motion sensor senses the movement of the user's hand; the operation mode display controller is used to control the operation mode of the machine in the electronic display module a display on the operating mode display controller configured for rotational movement about the electronic display module between a plurality of rotational positions, the operating mode display controller being operatively connected to the electronic display module such that responsive to operation a mode display controller for rotational movement in a plurality of rotational positions, the electronic display module is configured to display a plurality of operating modes of the machine corresponding to the plurality of rotational positions; and an operating mode selector for use in electronically Controlling selection of the one of the plurality of operating modes of the machine when displayed on the display module, the operating mode selector being configured for a push-down movement to actuate the electronic display Selection of the operating mode displayed on the module.

Preferably, the operation mode selector may comprise at least one of: (i) a display member, and (ii) an operation mode display controller.

Preferably, the electronic display module may comprise a touch screen display, and thus the touch screen display is operable by a user to perform at least one of the following:

(a) sensing touch input applied to the touch screen display;

(b) in response to the sensed touch input, changing the mode of operation displayed on the touch screen display; and

(c) When one of the plurality of operation modes is displayed on the electronic display module, selecting the one of the plurality of operation modes.

Preferably, the touch input may include a swipe input.

Preferably, the motion sensor may comprise a non-contact motion sensor.

Preferably, the operating mode selector may be configured for at least one of a tilting movement, a pivoting movement and a sliding movement between at least the first position and the second position to actuate the selection of the operating mode displayed on the electronic display module. choose.

Preferably, the present invention may include a mechanism configured to vibrate the control knob in response to the operating mode selector being moved to actuate the selection of the operating mode of the machine.

Preferably, the electronic display module may be configured to output at least one of a predetermined color or brightness in response to the operating mode selector being moved to actuate the selection of the operating mode of the machine.

Preferably, the control knob may comprise a sound transmitter configured to output a predetermined sound in response to the operating mode selector being moved to actuate the selection of the operating mode of the machine.

Preferably, the present invention may include a wireless communication module configured to communicate with a wireless communication module of an external device including at least one of: (i) a machine, (ii) a smartphone device, and (iii) Personal Computers.

Preferably, the wireless communication module may include at least one of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth type wireless communication modules.

In a first broad form, the present invention provides a control knob for controlling operation of a machine, the control knob comprising: an attachment surface configured to attach the control knob to a machine surface; displaying a display member including an electronic display module disposed thereon; a motion sensor configured to sense movement of a user's hand, the sensor operatively connected to the display member such that in response to the motion sensor sensing an action of the user's hand, the display member is configured to perform at least one of: (i) controlling the display of the operating mode of the machine on the electronic display module; and (ii) displaying one of the operating modes of the machine When on the electronic display module, selection of the one of the plurality of operating modes is controlled.

In another broad form, the present invention provides a machine comprising a control knob according to the first and second broad forms of the present invention.

Description of drawings

The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of preferred but non-limiting embodiments described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 depicts a side view of a control knob mounted to a control panel surface of an appliance in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

2A and 2B depict perspective views of a control knob according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figures 3A and 3B depict exploded perspective views of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 2A and 2B; and

4 depicts a functional block diagram of a control knob operatively connected to an appliance in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

Referring now to Figures 1 to 4, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described herein in the form of control knobs that can be used in various applications. For example, it can be mounted on the console of a motor vehicle to control the car radio, air conditioning and other functions. Alternatively, control knobs may be mounted on the control panels of microwave ovens, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, coffee machines or other household appliances and configured to display and select operating modes of these machines.

In one embodiment, control knob 100 includes attachment surface 130 configured for mounting to control panel surface 150 of machine 440 . For example, attachment surface 130 may comprise a rigid metal or plastic annular configuration in which one or more holes are provided so that screws or other fasteners 150A can pass through to achieve securing control knob 100 to a control panel The purpose of surface 150.

The control knob 100 also includes a ring-shaped display platform 110 comprising a suitably rigid metallic or plastic material. Display platform 110 is shaped and sized to allow electronic display module 140 to sit on the recessed portion of display platform 110 such that it remains in a fixed relative position on display platform 110 . Electronic display module 140 includes touch-sensitive means to allow a user to directly "touch" electronic indicia or icons displayed on electronic display module 140 to navigate through the machine's possible operating mode options (eg, by swiping through the display on the electronic display surface) the Mode Options menu), and/or actuate the selection of any of the displayed operating modes. The electronic display module 140 is powered by the machine's power supply via an appropriate electronic power interface circuit, but in alternative embodiments, the electronic display module 140 may be powered by a separate battery unit located within the housing. The lens member 141 is assembled on the electronic display module 140 .

The control knob 100 further includes an operating mode display controller 120A that can be grasped and rotated by a user's hand in order to control the display of the operating mode of the machine on the electronic display module 140 and/or actuate the Selection of any of the displayed operating modes. As can be seen in FIG. 2A , the operational mode display controller 120A can be rotated about the electronic display module 140 in a counterclockwise direction (shown by arrow Z) or clockwise (shown by arrow Z′) to navigate through the electronic display module 240 The operating mode options shown above. The first end of the operational mode display controller 120A is configured for engagement with the attachment surface 130, while the second end of the operational mode display controller 120A is configured for engagement with the display platform 110 so as to be relative to the attachment surface 130 and Both display platforms 110 are rotatably movable. As can be seen in the figures, when assembled together in this manner, display platform 110, operating mode display controller 120A, and attachment surface 130 cooperatively form a housing therebetween within which control knobs may be received Mechanical and electronic components of 100, such as printed circuit board 121 with potentiometers and associated potentiometer wipers 122. Printed circuit board 121 includes electrical connectors 121A configured to interconnect via electrical wires with machine systems to effect power and/or data/signal communications therebetween. The retaining tab 110A extends downwardly from the display platform 110 through a slot provided in the printed circuit board 121 and through the central channel of the operating mode display controller 120A to extend upwardly from the attachment surface 130 through the operating mode The corresponding fixing piece 130A of the center channel of the display controller 120A is an interference fit. In this way, during use of the control knob 100, the display platform 110 and the attachment surface 130 remain in a fixed relative position relative to each other and to the machine. However, the operational mode display controller 120A disposed between the display platform 110 and the attachment surface 130 is rotatable relative to both the display platform 110 and the attachment surface 130 about an axis of rotation between multiple rotational positions.

The control knob 100 includes detent mechanisms 131A, 131B to allow controlled incremental rotational movement of the operational mode display controller 120A about the display member 110 into its various rotational positions. In this embodiment, the detent mechanisms 131A, 131B may include spring-loaded ball bearings or pins 131A that extend upward from the attachment surface 130 toward a lower surface disposed on the operating mode display controller 120A The ridged catch surface 131B in the area extends. The operating mode display controller 120A is shaped and dimensioned so that as the operating mode display controller 120A rotates about, the spring-loaded ball bearings 131A of the detent mechanism engage the grooves between the ridges of the ridged detent surface to achieve The operating mode shows controlled incremental rotational advancement of the controller 120A.

Rotational motion of the operating mode display controller 120A is sensed by the first sensor module 410, which may include a rotary drive potentiometer formed in the printed circuit board 121, which is associated with the potentiometer wiper 122, an optical sensor, and a suitable Works with any other sensor device for this application. For example, operating mode display controller 120A may be coupled to a transducer shaft that rotates with rotation of operating mode display controller 120A, and rotational motion of the transducer shaft may be used to generate relevant sensor readings in sensor module 410 . The first sensor module 410 is operatively connected to the microcontroller module 430 and sends signals to the microcontroller module 430 indicating the various rotational positions of the display controller 120A in the operating mode. The microcontroller module 430 receives signals from the first sensor module 410 via the sensor interface and is programmed to display the operating mode indicated by the sensor signal to the controller 120A by referring to a predetermined look-up table programmed into the microcontroller module 430 The rotational position of the machine is associated with the actual operating mode of the machine. The microcontroller module 430 is operatively connected to the electronic display module 140 and sends control signals to the electronic display module 140 to display information indicative of the machine operating mode corresponding to the sensed rotational position of the operating mode display controller 120A . For example, where the machine is a washer/dryer, the operating modes of the machine 440 may include options for hot and cold wash modes of operation, options for various wash times, and options for various drying times. Each such option can be broadly thought of as a user-selectable mode of operation of the machine.

In this embodiment, the electronic display module 140 can be pressed, whereby the sensor module senses the action and outputs a sensor signal configured to actuate the selection of the operating mode currently displayed on the electronic display module 140 . In FIG. 2B, arrow Y indicates the direction in which the electronic display module 140 can be pressed. When the electronic display module 140 is pressed, the sensor module 410 transmits an additional control signal to the microcontroller module 430 indicating that the user has pressed the electronic display module 410 . The microcontroller module 430 receives the control signal from the sensor module 410 and is programmed to recognize the control signal as indicating the selection of a particular mode of operation currently displayed on the electronic display module 140 . Thereafter, the microcontroller module 430 wirelessly communicates the operating mode selected from outside the control button 100 to the control module of the machine 440 via the electrical bus wiring or via the wireless communication module.

In this embodiment, electronic display module 140 may be configured to automatically switch operation from an active mode (in which it displays information) to a sleep mode in which functional operation of electronic display module 140 is partially or completely turned off until need. The control knob 100 includes a motion sensor 121B operatively connected to the electronic display module 140 and configured to sense the motion of the user's hand. The motion sensor 121B is configured to engage within a sensor guide 110C that protects and controls the field of motion that may be sensed by the motion sensor 121B in use. In response to the motion sensor 121B sensing a particular motion or gesture of the user's hand, the display member is configured to switch the operation from the sleep mode to the active mode. In other embodiments, electronic display module 140 may be configured to operate differently in response to sensing of a user's hand motion or gesture, which does not necessarily involve switching the operation of electronic display module 140 from a sleep mode into active mode. Still further, in other embodiments, in addition to motion sensors, different types of sensors may be used to sense the proximity or movement of the user's hand to trigger switching of the electronic display module 140 from sleep mode to active mode (or for any two switching between operating states). The control knob may include a programmable user interface that may allow the user to customize the nature of the hand motion or gesture recognized by the motion sensor so that the electronic display module 140 responds with a particular operation or output.

In various embodiments described herein, operating mode display controller 120A and/or electronic display module 140 may be further configurable for use by a user to navigate through a number of different operating mode menus or lists. Thus, multi-level menus and lists of operating mode options are displayable and selectable via a single compact control knob 100 . For example, the user may display on the electronic display module 140 a first menu of operating mode options related to wash cycle duration, a second menu of operating mode options related to wash temperature Toggles between a third menu of operating mode options. By swiping left or right on the touch screen interface of the electronic display module 140 (represented by arrows X and X'), further navigation through the operating mode options may be performed. The operating mode display controller 120A and electronic display module 140 may also be further configured to allow the user to display and select other information, such as displaying the current operating mode settings of the machine, displaying a historical log of previous operating mode selections for the machine, or may The suggested default operating mode is pre-displayed to the user for selection. The operating mode display controller 120A and electronic display module 140 may also be configured to allow the user to control the value or magnitude of the different operating modes selected. For example, the operating mode display controller 120A and/or the electronic display module 140 may be configured to be manipulated by the user to incrementally increase or decrease the temperature value of the washing machine that the user has selected to function in accordance with the hot water wash cycle, Or incrementally increase or decrease the wash cycle time of the washing machine.

Conveniently, since the electronic display module 140 and the operating mode display controller 120A are integrally formed in a single control knob 100, this provides a relatively compact construction, thereby enabling itself to more efficiently utilize the control panel space on the machine, Without compromising the ease and speed of user operability. Furthermore, by using the motion sensor to trigger the switching operation of the control knob from sleep mode to active mode, this can conveniently alleviate power wastage when the control knob is not in use. This is particularly advantageous in battery powered appliances that need to conserve battery power. Still further, a motion sensor may allow a user to operate the control knob at a distance without physically touching the control knob, which may be advantageous for some users in certain applications. For example, if such a control knob is operatively connected to the vacuum cleaner, the user need not bend over to touch the control knob to operate the control knob, but may instead operate the control knob at a distance without using bend over.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of the invention described herein may be made other than those specifically described without departing from the scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications as will be apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as broadly described above. It should be understood that the present invention includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all steps and features mentioned or indicated in the specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features.

The citation of any prior art in this specification is not and should not be construed as an admission or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Claims (13)

1. A control knob for controlling the operation of a machine, the control knob comprising: an attachment surface configured to attach the control knob to a surface of a machine; a display member, the display member comprising an electronic display module disposed on the display member; a motion sensor configured to sense motion of a user's hand, the sensor operatively connected to the display member such that in response to the motion sensor sensing motion of the user's hand, the display the component is configured to switch operation from the sleep mode to the active mode; An operating mode display controller for controlling the display of an operating mode of the machine on an electronic display module, the operating mode display controller being configured to be in one of a plurality of rotational positions about the electronic display module rotational movement between the plurality of rotational positions, the operational mode display controller is operatively connected to the electronic display module such that in response to rotational movement of the operational mode display controller between the plurality of rotational positions, the electronic display a module configured to display a plurality of operating modes of the machine corresponding to the plurality of rotational positions; and an operation mode selector for controlling the selection of the one of the plurality of operation modes of the machine when the one of the plurality of operation modes of the machine is displayed on the electronic display module, the The operating mode selector is configured for a push-down movement to actuate selection of an operating mode displayed on the electronic display module. 2. The control knob of claim 1, wherein the operating mode selector comprises at least one of: (i) the display member, and (ii) the operating mode display controller. 3. The control knob of claim 1, wherein the electronic display module comprises a touch screen display, and wherein the touch screen display is operable by a user to perform at least one of the following: (a) sensing touch input applied to the touch screen display; (b) changing the operating mode displayed on the touch screen display in response to the sensed touch input; and (c) When one of the plurality of operation modes is displayed on the electronic display module, selecting the one of the plurality of operation modes. 4. The control knob of claim 3, wherein the touch input comprises a swipe input. 5. The control knob of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor comprises a non-contact motion sensor. 6. The control knob of claim 1, wherein the operating mode selector is configured for at least one of a tilt, pivot, and slide movement between at least a first position and a second position, to actuate the selection of the operating mode displayed on the electronic display module. 7. The control knob of claim 1, comprising a mechanism configured to vibrate the control knob in response to the operating mode selector being moved to actuate selection of an operating mode of the machine . 8. The control knob of claim 1, wherein the electronic display module is configured to output a predetermined value in response to the operating mode selector being depressed to actuate selection of an operating mode of the machine At least one of color or brightness. 9. The control knob of claim 1 , wherein the control knob includes a sound transmitter configured to actuate an operation to a machine in response to the operating mode selector being depressed. The selection of the operation mode, while outputting a predetermined sound. 10. The control knob of claim 1, comprising a wireless communication module configured to communicate with a wireless communication module of an external device, the external device comprising at least one of: ( i) the machine, (ii) a smartphone device, and (iii) a personal computer. 11. The control knob of claim 10, wherein the wireless communication module comprises at least one of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth type wireless communication modules. 12. A machine comprising the control knob of claim 1. 13. A control knob for controlling the operation of a machine, the control knob comprising: an attachment surface configured to attach the control knob to a surface of a machine; a display member, the display member comprising an electronic display module disposed on the display member; a motion sensor configured to sense motion of a user's hand, the sensor operatively connected to the display member such that in response to the motion sensor sensing motion of the user's hand, the display The artifact is configured to perform at least one of the following: (i) Controlling the display of the operating mode of the machine on said electronic display module; and (ii) controlling the selection of one of the plurality of operating modes of the machine when the one of the plurality of operating modes is displayed on the electronic display module.

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